On the multi-agent stochastic simulation of occupants in buildings

Chapman, Jacob; Siebers, Peer-Olaf; Robinson, Darren

Abstract

This paper introduces a new general platform for the simulation of occupants’ presence and behaviours. Called No-MASS
(Nottingham Multi-Agent Stochastic Simulation), this generates a synthetic population of agents, predicts their presence and,
in the case of residences also their activities and inferred locations, as well as their use of windows, lights and blinds. Using
the Functional Mockup Interface, No-MASS is coupled with EnergyPlus: EnergyPlus parses environmental parameters to
No-MASS which in turn parses back the energetic consequences of agents’ behaviours. After describing the architecture of
No-MASS and the form of the integrated models, we demonstrate its utility through two use cases: a house and an office.We
close by outlining how No-MASS has been extended to more comprehensively simulate the behaviours of agents occupying
multiple buildings, including behaviours for which data is scarce, social interactions between agents, and a generalization
of No-MASS to simulate electrical devices and their interactions.

Citation

Chapman, J., Siebers, P., & Robinson, D. (2018). On the multi-agent stochastic simulation of occupants in buildings. Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 11(5), 604-621. https://doi.org/10.1080/19401493.2017.1417483

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 11, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Feb 8, 2018
• Publication Date: Feb 8, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jan 5, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Building Performance Simulation
• Print ISSN: 1940-1493
• Electronic ISSN: 1940-1507
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 604-621
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19401493.2017.1417483
• Keywords: multi-agent; stochastic; behaviour; energy; simulation
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1446016
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19401493.2017.1417483
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=tbps20